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12.21.2009

According to iTunes, the best album this year was Kings of Leon's "Only By Night" while the best new artist was Lady GaGa. I would like for someone to please do one of the following:

Shoot me

Tell me I'm dreaming

Tell me this is a bad joke

Tell me the year's almost over

Naturally they gave "best artist" to Michael Jackson. Really? Uh, did he release any new material this year? No. Presumably they are counting "This is It" as his new album, but it's comprised almost entirely remastered songs. No, I'm not a fan.

Speaking of shameless reissues, Taylor Swift's "Fearless: Platinum Edition" won best country album. Oh come on! Reissues should not be eligible no matter how informal your awards. Not that I care about country - it's the principle of the thing.

The top 3 movies were Pixar's "Up," J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" sequel/prequel/reboot, and very R-rated comedy "The Hangover." Uh... well "Star Trek" was good at least...

I'm not going to comment on their TV show selections simply because I only watch a couple myself and I have no idea what most of these are about. I will say, however, I was saddened to see a "Reality TV" section. The top reality TV? Apparently "Top Chief," (which is at least better than "Top Model") and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Judging by the picture it looks like 4 out of 5 New Jersey housewives are supermodels. Hmm. That reality is questionable.

Books fared no better, unfortunately. Numbers 2 through 5 on the list of top-selling fiction audiobooks where all from Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series. And number 6 was a Dan Brown novel. *groan*

Interestingly, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" is number 2 on the non-fiction list and has been popular for quite some time. This is odd and a little disconcerting. I wonder what are so many people doing with their newfound knowledge of 6th century BC military tactics? Playing Shogun: Total War?

Also on the nonfiction list is Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope." Silly, Mr. President. You aren't supposed to write a best-seller until after you're out of office.

Now, I realize that iTunes is using this as a marketing tool and these lists are for the most part based on sales... but doesn't that make it all the more depressing?